A MASTERSTROKE by coach Kristian Woolf helped turn around a 12-6 half-time deficit and deliver a 26-12 victory on Saturday as St Helens got their hands on the Challenge Cup after a 13-year absence.

Castleford were on course for their first cup triumph since 1986 after an absorbing first 40 minutes played in front of 40,000 fans at a sun-kissed Wembley, the biggest crowd at a rugby league match for 21 months.

But Woolf sent on Grand Final hero Jack Welsby for the second half in place of tryscorer Theo Fages and he helped transform their fortunes as they scored 20 points without reply to deny Daryl Powell a major trophy in his farewell season in charge of the Tigers.